29 November 2007

"Youth Resources Centre" In Cheylesmore

The centre hires out "camping equipment, minibuses, cameras, disco equipment, public address systems, musical instruments and games at affordable prices." The city council, however, is reviewing the service, to make it more "cost effective" to run.

This is the problem with having a Conservative-controlled council.

You can't make the public sector cost effective, since it's not supposed to be cost effective!

One, there are certain societal goals (education, health care, and public transit for everyone so no one has to pay, no one starving, playing our part in ending global misery) that aren't profitable. The private sector won't do these tasks without generous public subsidy.

Two, there are certain functions of the state (suspending the liberty of the individual, empowering and educating youth) that shouldn't be subject to the profit motive. It's why the Green Party is against privately-run jails, or why we're in favour of comprehensive education and the end to top-up tuition.

The Youth Resources Centre is something that needs to be expanded. It's an invaluable investment in keeping youth engaged in art, outdoor activities, or music in Coventry. It's not just another budget line item where the council needs to save money.